Pencil



July 10, 1923.

O. C. BILLMAN PENC'IL Filed July 28 UNiTEn siAiEs PATENT ori-fics.

lomni c, BILLMAN, vor CLEVELAND, 01110, assmNoa'oFoNn-HALF 'ro Enviar n.

- 'rnoxnm or woosrnia, omo. i

PENCIL.

Application led J'uly 28, 1918. Serial No. 318,791.

T o all whom z't may concern:

Be it known thatl, O BED C. BLLLLIAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and 5 Stateof Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pencils, of' which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in pencils, and more particularly to .that class or type inwhich the' lead or marking material is projectedor fed out of the pencil body at will andto the extent desiredy by 'manually operable means. Y

A further object i to provide a pencil of this class in which the lead may not only be projected, but may be retracted, as desired, by the relative rotation of the pencil' parts.

The present improvements relate more particularly to improved means for storing a supply of lead within the pencil body, together with improved means f or storingand projecting and retracting a suitable eraser.

A still further object is the provision vof improved -means whereby the eras'enmay not only be retracted and protected within the pencil body when not in use, but maybe readily projected for use, when desired, and

which will at the s ame time be ornamentalA in appearance.

Withthe above mentioned and other ends in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combinationofparts, hereinafter described, illustrated in soine of its embodiments inthe accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, forming a part of-this specification', Figure .1, is a central 40 longitudinal sectional view of a propeller pencil constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2, isa longitudinal central sectional view of a pencil showing a modified form of thel finger piece or cap'embodying the im-- proved means for retracting and projecting an eraser. s

Eig. e, is a View of a 'further modification.

of the fingen iece or cap in which the eraser isv manually rought into and out of position for use, instead of automatically, as

Shown' :in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4, is a cross sectional view of the form shown in Fig. 2, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5, is a perspective view of the lead or marker holder, detached from the slotted tubular propeller member o'r stem.

Fig. 6, is a fragmentary perspective view of the slotted propeller tube or 'stem, de-

tached. 6o

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view o the top of the rotary propelle'i` member and movable eraser and eraser carrying member and guide and guide stop members.

Similar numerals of reference designate 55 like parts throughout all the igu'resl of the drawings.

'The improved pencil comprises a tubular main body portion 1, terminating in a pointed 0r tapered portion 1, the .latter be- 70 ing provided at its point with an opening 1", through which opening 1b, theA Split or feed end of the slotted propeller stein carrying the marker holder, hereinafter referred to,is adapted to project or retract, the lead being adapted to vbe projected and retracted through such split feed end of the propeller stem as will be hereinafter explained.

The tubular body 1, is preferably provided 30 at its head or top portion with an lannular outwardly extending rib or beading" 1, against which the rotary finger piece orcap 2, is adapted to'abut, or in the' forms shown in Figs. 2 and', is adapted to engage or 35 interlock, as will hereinafter be explained.

As a means of projecting or retracting the lead 3, with the forward and rearward ro- 'tary movements of the finger piece or cap 2, the interior of the lower portion of the 9 tubular body l, is preferablyprovided with a threaded portion 4, the latter being preferably in the form of a wire helix secured within the tubular body 1,- and as a means of positively securing the lead' or marker 3, 95.

so that the same will be projected and retracted, a marker 'holder 5is provided, said marker or lead holder 5, being longitudi- 'nally movable in a longitudinally slotted tubular propeller member or stem portion 6, said slotted member or stem 6, being preferably connected to a second or enlarged tubular propeller member 7, and the latter being connectedv to the finger piece 'example by means of a bottom piece or coupling member 7, the latter forming, in the present instance, the bottom .of the :lead 're-A ceptacle 7", formed by the vtubular member 7. The connecting piece or coupling member 7, is secured to the lower end Aof the lead receptacle member 7, so as to be carried with the latter, as hereinafter described, and, if desired, maybe threaded thereto, as shown. As a means of causing thev lead or marker holder 5, to be moved longitudinally with"A the rotary movements of the stem 6, and the 'second tubular member 7 as said propeller -members 6 and 7, are rotated by the finger piece or capl2, the lead or marker holder 5,

is providedwith vaproje'ction 5, extending through a slot 6, of the' stem 6, and project ing between'the convolutions of the helix or threaded portion- 4, said pr'ijectron being preferably provided with" laV recess 5b, to re'-A f `.ceive or straddle'one of the V-convolutions of-Y ifthe helix and thus follow the same.

A es

The lower end of' theplead or markerv holder 5, is provided with longitudinally extending s'pring tongues 5, adapted to firmly land securely engage the lead'or marker 3,

to positively retract the latter when the marker holder is retracted, and as a means of positively preventing any relative movement between lthe lead 3, and the marker holder when pressure is applied to the pencil the marker holderis provided with an inwardly extending 'projection or abutment 5, adapted to engage the top of the lead.

The upper end of the tubular member or receptacle forming the propeller portion 7, is provided with an eraser 8, and which in the form shown in Fig. 1, closes the lead receptacle, and affords access to the latter when the cap 2, is removed.

In the forms shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the interior of the neck port-ion of the cap or finger piece 2, is provided with threads threaded upon a similarly threaded exterior portion of the top of the tubular member 7, whilev in. the form shown in Fig. 2, the cap is indirectly connected thereto through the movable eraser and the mechanism for automatically projecting and retracting the eraser to behereinafter described.

As a means of detachably connecting the rotary or propeller members 6 and 7, Within the tubular body to prevent longitudinal movement of the same while being rotated by the fingerpiece, and at the same time retaining the same so that it will operate after the cap has been removed, the rib or beading 1, in the form shown in Fig. 1, is split and provided with an interior groove 1.4, adapted to t over and interlock with an exterior rib or beading 7, on the exterior of the part 7. `In this way when the cap 2, is removed the parts 6 and 7, will still be retained in operative position for the operation ofthe pencil by turning the threaded projecting portion of the propeller mem- .ber 7 in the usual manner.

In the forms shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cap or linger piece 2, is provided with an Vexterior rib 2, adapted to fit over and interlock with the exterior of the beading 1, of the pencil body to removably retain vthe propeller members 6 and 7, therein as against ordinary longitudinal removing movement and at the same time permit rotatable movement thereon. The beading 2a, is adapted to interlock with a snap action, and, if desired, may be provided with a series of slits 2", forming spring ton es, as indicatedin Figs.'

2 and 3. In the orms shown in Figs. 2, 35 and 3, the finger piece or cap 2, is provided. with a central opening 2, to removably receive and contain an eraser 8, and an eraser carrylng member 8.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, the eraser 8, and eraser carrying member or cup 8, arefadapted to be inserted or removed manually and to be held in their respective po-y sitions by means of a central supportmg and clamping member 7", said supporting member 7, having a central opening to receive the eraser 8, when the latter is reversed and protected, and may also be provided with an enlarged or shoulder portion 7, to support the edge of the eraser carrying or cup member 8, as indicated.

In the forms shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the linger piece or cap 2, has no direct connec tion with the tubular propeller members 6 and 7 the top of the tubular propeller member 7, being loosely arranged within the neck portion of the linger piece or cap and eX- ,tending upwardly and being provided with a guide in the -form of a slot 7 f, within which a projection or guide member 8", in the pres- 11 ent instance, in the specific form of a screw, is adapted to travel.

Should it be desired to removethe cap or finger piece 2, from the propeller member 7, as shown in Fig. 2, of the drawings, the 115 `cap or finger piece 2, may be first elevated whereby the split beading 2, will-be spread apart and detached from the annular outwardly extendingrim or beading 1, of the pencil body 1, after which the cap 2, will 12 be turned rearwardly to unthread or detach the threaded portions or spirally arranged grooves 2f, at the bottom edges from the projection or guide member 8", of the eraser carrying member 8, whereupon the l cap 2` `may be lifted off of thev top of the propeller member 7 and eraser 8. Should it then be desired to take out the eraser carrying member 8a, and eraser 8, and gain access to the lead-carrying receptacle 7b, the 1W grooves 2', adapted to receive the project'on 8b, so that when the eraser 8, and its carryingmember 8, are in their retracted position, as shown in Fig. 2, and the thumb vor finger piece 2, is moved to the right, the

initial movement will project the eraser upwardly to the dotted line position, until v the upper terminal portion of the slot 7',

is engaged by tlie projection, whereupon the propeller members 7 and 6, Will be rotated to the right to project the lead. After finishing Writing with the pencil the movement of the` linger piece or cap in an opposite or reverse direction will cause the movement or retraction of the eraser toward its original or fully retracted and projected position, and when the lower ters,

minal portion of the guide or slot. 7 f, isl engaged by the projection 8", the propeller parts 6 and 7, will be moved 1n an opposite direction and retract the'lead. It will4 thus be seen lthat the eraser will always be projected and retracted just prior to the initial projection and retraction ofy the lead or marker'. v j

The mechanism for holding and guiding the'lcad and for projecting the latter from or" retracting the same vwithin the pencil bcdy, shown and described, but notfclaimed herein, is made the subject of a divisional application' led May 26th, 1923, Serial No.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying draw-V ings, the operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood.

Having v'thus described'some of the embodiments of my invention, what I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is,-

1. Iln a propeller pencil, a tubular pencil body provided at its top with an annular beading, a tubulary propeller member rotatable in said pencil body, an eraser in said propeller member, a fingerV cap protectingA said eraser and detachably connected to said propeller member, and means for detachably and rotatably securing Vsaid cap and propeller member to said annular beadJ jection in engagement with said guide, a. propeller actuating cap having a threaded Y p ortion engaging and moving said projection when rotated whereby said eraser support is'projected or retracted by said cap prior to theinitial forward and rearwardA rotary movements of said propeller member by said propeller actuating cap, and means Jfor detachably and rotatably connecting said cap and propeller member and for limiting the rotary movements of said cap.

3. Ina propeller pencil, a tubular pencil body, a tubular propeller member therein and projecting `therefrom and provided at its top with a lead receptacle, an era-ser removably mounted in said tubular propeller member.y above said lead receptacle, a cap member detachably secured to the vprojecting end of said propeller member and protecting said eraser, and means for removably retaining said propeller and cap members in rotatable ,connection with said pen- 'cil body.

4.' In a propeller pencil, a tubular pencil body providedwithan annular outwardly extending beading, a tubular propeller member rotatable in and projecting above said pencil body, an eraser in said propeller member, a, finger cap memberl protecting saidA eraser and detachably connected to and adapted to operate said propeller member, and means on one of said members for rotatively securing said caip and propeller member to said annular beading of Xsaid pencil body. v

5. In a propeller pencil, in combination,

a propeller member provided with a guide,l an eraser movably mounted on said propeller .member and provided withv a projection in' engagement with said guide, a detachable propeller actuating caphaving a threaded portion engaging and movingsaid projection and eraser when rotated whereby said eraser is projected or retracted by said cap priorto the initial rotary moves ment of said propeller member by said propeller actuating cap. v

6. In a propeller pencil. a pencil body, a propeller member removably and rotatably mounted in said pencil body, an eraser detachably mounted in said propeller member, and a finger piece detachably mounted on said propeller member and saidvpencil body, said finger piece being adapted to insert and 'remove said propeller member and being provided with a central cavity to receive said eraser.

7. ,In a propeller pencil, a tubular pencil body provided with anfannular outwardly extending beading, a tubular propeller meinber therein and provided with a'lead receptacle, an eraser removably mounted in said propeller member forming a closure for said lead receptacle, a cap member detachably secured, tosaid propeller member and 'protecting said eraser, and meanson one ofv said members for longitudinally retaining said propeller and cap members in rotative connection with said outwardly extending penc'il body beadin 8. -In a propegller pencil, a pencil body, a propeller member removably andl rotatably mounted therein, an eraser'and eraser carrying member detachably mounted in said propeller member, said eraser carrying member having a lateralprojection extending through and having a limited longitudinal movement in said propeller member, and a finger piece detachably mounted on said propeller member and said pencil body and provided with an internal thread engaging said lateral projection and initially moving said eraser carrying member longitudinally and having a central o ening receiving said eraser when projecte therefrom by .the operative engagement therewith of said finger piece. A

9. In a propeller pencil, a pencil body, a propeller member provided at its top with an opening and removably and rotatably mounted in said pencil body, an eraser detachably mounted in said top opening of said propeller member, a finger cap on said propeller member, and means for securing the latter in said pencil body, said finger cap being adapted to insert and remove said propeller member in said pencil body and eing provided with a central' eraser receiving recess above said eraser.

10. In .a propeller pencil, in combination with a pencil body and a'rotary propeller member having one end projecting therefrom and provided .with a longitudinal guide-way, an eraser and eraser carrying member mounted in said projecting end of said propeller member and provided with a guide stop member slidable in said guideway, a finger cap provided with spiral grooves surrounding and engaging said guide stop member and having a limited rotary movement relatively thereof, and

means for detachably connecting said finger cap and propeller member in relative rotatable relation to said pencil body, the construction and arrangement of the parts being such as to cause said'eraser and eraser carrying member to be initially projected or retracted by the forward or rearward rotation of said finger cap and prior to the rotation of said propeller member by the latter. l

11. In a propeller pencil, in combination with a encil body and a lpropeller member remova le therein and provided with a gui-de portion projecting therefrom, a relatively longitudinally movable eraser support carried within the projecting guide ortion of said propeller member and provi ed with a projection in non-rotatable slidable engagement with said gliide portion, a ropeller actuating finger piece engaging and) moving said projection of said eraser support when rotated whereby said eraser is projected or retracted by said finger piece prior to the initial forward or rearward rotary movement of said propeller member by sald propeller actuatin finger iece, and meansor detachably an rotata ly connecting said finger piece and propeller member in normal assembled relation to said pencil body.

12,' In a propeller pencil, in combination,

a pencil body, a rotary propeller therein and projecting from one end of said pencil body, said projecting end being provided v with a longitudinal guide-way, a linger piece rooves in slidable engagement with gitudinally moved prior to the initial rotary movement of said propeller member by said finger ieee and said eraser carrying member is projected and retracted with the'` initial projecting and retracting movements of the finger piece, and means for detachably and rotatably connecting said finger piece and rotary propeller in normal assembled relation to said pencil body.

13. In a propeller pencil, a tubular pencil body provided at, its top with an annular beading, a tubular propeller member in said pencil body' projecting above said beading and provided with a lead receptacle, an eraser, an eraser carrying member on said propeller .member forming a closure for the lead receptacle, a finger capl member detachably mounted on said propeller member and protecting said eraser, and a companion beading on one of said members ldetachably interlockingvwith said pencil body beading for longitudinally retainln and cap member in rota-tab e assembled relation to said pencil body.

14. In a propeller pencil, a tubular pencil body providedl at its top with an annular outwardly extending beading, a tubular lead receptacle forming propeller member in said pencil body and projecting above said beading, an eraser, an eraser carrying member in said propeller member forming a closure for the lead receptacle, a finger cap member threaded on said propeller member and protecting said eraser, and a companion beading on one of said members detachably interlocking with said pencil body beading for longitudinally retaining said propeller and cap member in assembled relation to said pencil body.

15. In a propeller pencil, the combination said propeller y with a pencil body and a removable propeller member provided at its top with a longitudinal guide way; of an eraser carrying member detachably mounted in said guidelao way, and a cappiece rotatably and detachably'mounted on said propeller member and'pencil body, said cap piece pro tecting said. eraser carrying member and being -provided with a feed screw in engagement with said eraser carrying member whereby the latter is projected or retracted upon the initial feeding orretracting movements of said finger piece prior to the Yinitial movements: of said rotary pro peller member.

16. In a propeller pencil, a tubular pencil body provided with an annular beading, atubular propeller member removably and rotatably mounted therein and provided with a lead receptacle, an eraser and eraser carrying member detachably, mounted in said propeller member, and a finger cap detachably connected to said propeller member and provided with a split beading rotatably interlocking with said beading of said pencil body, said finger cap being provided with an internal thread engaging and initially moving said eraser carrying member and having a n central opening receiving said eraser when projected by the operative engagement therewith of said finger piece.

17. In a propeller pencil, the combination with a pencil body and a rotary propel-v ler member therein andl provided at its top with a projecting portion having a longitudinal guide slot, and an eraser and eraser carrying member in said projecting portion mounted on and longitudinally movable with respect to said rotary propeller member and provided with a guide' stop member resting in and controlled by said guide slot;

of a finger piece mounted on' said project-l ing portion of said propeller member and provided with internal spiral grooves in engagement with said guidestop member whereby said eraser and eraser carrying members are projected or retracted upon the initial feed or return movements of said linger piece and prior to thel like movements of said rotary propeller member, and means for detachably and rotatably connecting said rotary propeller member and finger piece toA said pencil'body.

' 18. In a propeller pencil, in combination with a rotary tubular propeller member provided at one end with a longitudinal guideway and a lead receptacle, an `eraser and eraser carrying member mounted to close said lead recetacle of said propeller member and provi ed with a projection slidable in and projecting from said guide way, and a finger cap covering said eraser and provided withspiral grooves surrounding and engaging said projection whereby said eraser and erasercarrying member are-projected or `retracted bythe rotation of said linger capi .Y 4 I,

end of said propeller member and provided with a guide in said guide way; of a linger:

piece detachably connected to said pencil body and covering said eraser 'and eraser l carrying member and provided with an eraser receiving opening and having spiral grooves in engagement with said guide -whereby said eraser and eraser carrying membersare projected and retracted prior to the initial movements of said propeller member by said finger piece and said eraser is carried upwardly above and below the opening of said finger piece with the projecting vand retractlng movements of the latter. l

2x0. In a propeller pencil, a pencil body, a

rotary propeller member therein having anv opening in its'top. and provided with a lonmember slidable in said lrotary propeller member and provided with a guide stop member extending in and controlled b v said guide slot, a linger cap member detacbably connected vto said pencil body and provided with an eraser receiving opening and an internal threaded feed portion, said cap when connected being rotatable on said pencil body and surrounding said propeller mem-v fgitudinal guide slot, an eraser carrying ber and eraser carrying member and said threaded feed portion being in engagement with said guide stop member to initially move the latter to the ends of .said guide slot whereby saidv eraser carrying member is projected `0r retracted prior to the initial movements of said propeller member by said finger cap, said eraser carrying member being provided with an eraser movable upwardly above and below the opening in said finger cap member with the initial movements of the latter.l

21. In a propeller pencil, a tubular pencil body, a tubular propeller member therein and projecting from one end thereof, an eraser removably mounted in said projecting end of said tubular propeller member, a cap member covering the projecting end of said propeller member and protecting said eraser, and means for removably and rotatably retaining said propeller and cap members in assembled connection with said. pencilbody and for permitting said propeller member to be removed from the lat-k ter by the detachment of said-cap member.

In testimony whereof I have aiixed my signature. 

